Insurance Benefits of Turning 100

Published By: Central Texas Insurance - Mark Lyne
Created In: Round Rock, TX
Date Uploaded: 2013-03-06
Description: Central Texas Insurance Cartoon - The Best Thing About Turning 100 - Insurance Salesmen Don't Call Any more!

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Life Insurance Actual Cash Value Cartoon

Published By: Central Texas Insurance - Mark Lyne
Created In: Round Rock, TX
Date Uploaded: 2013-02-27
Description: Central Texas Insurance Cartoon - Considering how insurance generally works, a wife contemplates canceling her husband's life insurance

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Did you know that if you live in Texas, you can compare every single home insurance policy side by side? The OPIC (Office of Public Insurance Counsel provide a homeowners insurance comparison tool which allows the buyer a way to compare coverages in an easy to read format. For the most part, the standard forms which companies use to protect you and your family against perils which endanger your home are the same, however, the specifics of each coverage can change from company to company. Do not fool yourself into thinking that all coverages and home policies are the same.

Besides using the OPIC website to compare policy coverages side by side, be sure to read your home insurance contract. Remember, that you can make any change to the coverages offered by the company prior to having a loss or home insurance claim. However, once there is a loss or an underwriting hold placed on the area due to an impending, or known potential cause of loss (i.e. often if a hurricane is on its way, companies will cut off and no longer allow coverage changes until after the storm has passed), the coverages you have in your policy are the ones which will apply to that loss or any claims resulting from the event which caused the underwriting hold in the first place.

• Policy Limits - Limits between companies varies greatly!
• Does your policy have Replacement Cost included for both your home and your personal property
• Is your home policy a Named Risk Policy or an All Risk Policy - You will want to check this out for your Home (Dwelling), as well as, your Stuff (Personal Property)
• If you think your home is more likely to suffer a specific type of loss, such as, backup of sewer and drain, or glass breakage can you purchase that coverage as an additional endorsement on the policy
• Verify your deductibles and be sure you are comfortable with the reconstruction cost which the company offers for your home - Remember, that the cost to tear out, demolish and remove debris comes out of the Dwelling coverage limit.
• Remember, flood insurance is NOT part of your regular home insurance policy - if you need or are interested in flood coverage, you must buy that policy through your agent from FEMA as a separate policy.

Finally, what coverages does the policy specifically exclude - these items are where you have to pay very close attention. You must be careful to not only read the section which describes the coverage, but also the part of the home insurance contract which describes the exclusions of coverage. Some insurance companies which offer mold remediation will take it away in the exclusions of coverage unless it is directly caused by a covered peril and if you think about it, there are not many covered perils that will directly cause mold damage. For example, Fire and Lightning are covered perils in most home insurance contracts. However, I am fairly certain that it is rare to see a Fire which is the direct cause of mold damage.

Remember, to read your home insurance contract and ask your insurance agent about any items or details which you are unsure about. Or, you could just contact us and we would be happy to take care of any insurance questions you might have.

Home Insurance Austin and Tornado Season 2012 is what we are talking about... the Insurance Journal reported in a recent article that the United States needs to be prepared for another year of above normal tornado activity. Check out the video to the left on Tornado preparedness for some very important tips from Farmers Insurance about how to protect your home and family this year - Finally, if you have not reviewed your home insurance recently get in touch with us NOW!

Oftentimes we do not think a major catastrophe like a tornado or hurricane will happen to us, but, the fact is very few people live their entire lives without being affected by some sort of major catastrophe - I've also included a very moving video below showing the Farmers Insurance HelpPoint team at work in Joplin (May 2011).

Again, even if you are not with our agency, or even if you do not have your home insurance with Farmers Insurance - if you have not spoken with your agent in years or if you would just like a second opinion about whether or not your current home insurance is going to protect everything you have worked so hard for over the years - Call us for a Austin home insurance review today!

You do not have to live in Austin for us to help you either - we can help you no matter where you live in Texas - so, again, now is the time to prepare for tornado season, and to make sure all of your coverages are up to date.

You can subscribe to my Insurance Channel at CentralTXInsurance on YouTube

Get in Touch with us so we can help you and your family with any insurance you need in Texas.!